Tailor’s bunion surgery is carried out to relieve the pain caused by Tailor’s bunion, a bony lump at the base of the little toe on the outside of the foot.
Usually carried out as a day case procedure, surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic with an injection in the foot to numb it and reduce pain after surgery. During surgery, a 2cm incision (cut) is made over the lump that is then removed and the bone is then cut (an osteotomy) to reposition the bones and make the foot narrower. A small screw is used to hold the osteotomy in place.
Immediately after surgery:
During the first few weeks:
Everyone is different, so healing and post-operative programmes vary from person to person. However, the schedule of follow-up appointments below is typical:
Your surgeon will be able to advise you about the type of footwear you should use and how quickly you will recover. Below is a guide to what may be advised:
During the first two weeks it’s important to keep the bandaging/foot totally dry although you will be able to shower with a waterproof cover over the foot. After two weeks you can shower without the cover if the wound is healed, but gently dab it dry.
Once the bandage is removed, don’t pull at your scabs, let them fall away naturally. If your wound becomes red, swollen or sore you should contact the Fortius Clinic and arrange to see your consultant to check you don’t have an infection.
Your physiotherapist will guide you through the stages of rehabilitation including gait re-education (walking correctly again), toe mobilisation exercises, swelling reduction and reducing muscle tightness.
The DVLA states it’s the responsibility of the driver to ensure they are always in control of the vehicle. A good guide is if you can stamp down hard with the foot during an emergency stop and this will usually take at least four to six weeks. Although your specialist will advise you about when it’s safe to start driving again, it remains your responsibility to drive safely and you should also check with your vehicle insurer to confirm you are covered.
This depends on the type of work you do and how quickly you recover. As a general guide, if your job involves sitting down for most of the time, you should be able to return to work after two weeks; if it involves manual work, you may need to have up to eight weeks off.
Below is a guide to the risks of this type of surgery. However, your surgeon will discuss these with you before your procedure, and answer any questions you may have:
Important:This information is only a guideline to help you understand your treatment and what to expect. Everyone is different and your rehabilitation may be quicker or slower than other people’s. Please contact us for advice if you’re worried about any aspect of your health or recovery